Ray Lewis not activated, won't play Sunday against Broncos

Caption1. How will the Ravens fare against Peyton Manning?

Daniel Wallace, MCT

With superstar quarterback Peyton Manning at the controls, the Denver Broncos have become a formidable playoff contender. The Broncos have won eight consecutive games since an early October loss to the New England Patriots, and they've already clinched the AFC West. It's the longest win streak...

With superstar quarterback Peyton Manning at the controls, the Denver Broncos have become a formidable playoff contender. The Broncos have won eight consecutive games since an early October loss to the New England Patriots, and they've already clinched the AFC West. It's the longest win streak... (Daniel Wallace, MCT)

Under new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, a more democratic approach is expected to unfold. Unlike the fired Cam Cameron, Caldwell actually welcomes feedback and suggestions from his fellow coaches. With more ideas and opinions being expressed, the Ravens are hoping for better results from...

Under new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, a more democratic approach is expected to unfold. Unlike the fired Cam Cameron, Caldwell actually welcomes feedback and suggestions from his fellow coaches. With more ideas and opinions being expressed, the Ravens are hoping for better results from... (Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun)

It's a rough situation for the Ravens at inside linebacker. First, middle linebacker Ray Lewis isn't back this week. He remains on the injured reserve-designated to return list with a surgically repaired right triceps. Lewis has to build strength in that arm, which has experienced some expected...

It's a rough situation for the Ravens at inside linebacker. First, middle linebacker Ray Lewis isn't back this week. He remains on the injured reserve-designated to return list with a surgically repaired right triceps. Lewis has to build strength in that arm, which has experienced some expected... (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)

Left offensive tackle Michael Oher and rookie right offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele have their work cut out for them Sunday against the Denver Broncos' elite pass rushing tandem of outside linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. They have combined for 24 sacks (including 16 for...

Left offensive tackle Michael Oher and rookie right offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele have their work cut out for them Sunday against the Denver Broncos' elite pass rushing tandem of outside linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. They have combined for 24 sacks (including 16 for... (Grant Halverson, Getty Images)

It was inevitable that return specialist Jacoby Jones' impact would be curtailed. Opposing special-teams coordinators aren't ignorant of his stellar season and account for Jones on every special-teams sequence. (Jones ranks first in the NFL with a 33.2 kickoff return average with three returns...

It was inevitable that return specialist Jacoby Jones' impact would be curtailed. Opposing special-teams coordinators aren't ignorant of his stellar season and account for Jones on every special-teams sequence. (Jones ranks first in the NFL with a 33.2 kickoff return average with three returns... (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)

The Ravens had until 4 p.m. today to take Lewis off of injured reserve with a designation to return, but they made the decision not to activate him, meaning that the 37-year-old won’t be eligible to play Sunday against Peyton Manning and company.

Lewis hasn’t played since he tore his right triceps in the Ravens’ 31-29 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 14. Tomorrow marked the first game he was eligible to return but the Ravens have decided to give him at least another week. The Ravens (9-4) play the reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants next Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

Initially feared to be out for the season, Lewis returned to practice Dec. 5. He was not on the field for the portion of practice open to the media this past Wednesday, but he did practice the past two days on a limited basis. Per league rules, Lewis, who has not spoken to reporters since the Week 6 injury, is able to practice for 21 days before the Ravens either have to activate him or revert him back to injured reserve.

His absence Sunday further exposes an already depleted linebacker group. Inside linebacker Jameel McClain was declared out for the game on Wednesday because of a neck injury. Dannell Ellerbe, who stepped in and started next to McClain after Lewis went out, has missed the past two games with an ankle injury and he’s questionable for tomorrow.

That could force second-year linebacker Josh Bynes, an undrafted free agent who has never started a game in his career, to wear the headset in his helmet and relay defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ calls to the rest of the defense. Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, one of the Ravens’ top special teams players, will also play a prominent role on defense.

If Ellerbe and safety Bernard Pollard don’t play and Pollard hasn’t practiced all week with a chest injury, the Ravens will be without four of their top five tacklers against the Broncos.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged on Friday that his roster decisions on Sunday will be difficult because so many players are banged up and considered game-time decisions.

“Will we have enough healthy guys to get to 46? That’s a consideration,” Harbaugh said. “What you are talking about will come down to one or two guys at the end that we will have to make a decision [on].”